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Obsessed
Stars: Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti, Scout Taylor-Compton, Matthew Humphries
Director: Steve Shill
I think youll find Im not your typical temp, Larter tells her married executive boss Elba. And she proves her point in no uncertain terms and absolutely predictably when she sets her sights on him and tries to ensnare him in a shower of cliches.
Elba remains ridiculously unaware of Larters plans. Not so his wife Beyonce who takes one look at the lubricious lass and snaps, I want her fired immediately". Which doesnt happen, of course, leaving Larter to continue her campaign until she and Beyonce to have a splendidly silly no-holds-barred catfight that culminates in an utterly expected climax which has been trailed obviously in reel one
What David Lougherys screenplay provides is, patently, Fatal Attraction lite minus the boiling bunny. Give first time feature film director Steve Shill (whose work on the TV crime series Law and Order has been impressive) credit for keeping a commendably straight camera in the face of the screenplay and delivering a polished second-league thriller decorated with Larters splendidly operatic characterisation. Producer-star Beyonce gives her all which isnt enormous in dramatic terms, while Elba doesnt disgrace himself. That said, for all its glossy production values, Obsession is instantly forgettable minor fare.
Alan Frank
USA 2009. UK Distributor: Sony. Colour.
105 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 15.
Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 2, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.
Review date: 29 May 2009